Elastic step-mat



W. MACPHERSON.

ELASTIC STEP MAT( APPLICATION FLED SEPT. 4, 1920.

1,398,70 1 Patenta& Nov. 29, 1921.

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WARREN MAGPEERSON, OF CAMBBIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS.

EIASTIC STEP-MAT.

' Speciflcation of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

Application filed September 4:, 1920. Serial No. 408,166.

` fication.

This invention relates to a mat of elastic material, such as flexible vulcanized rubber,

or a vulcanizable composition containing rubber, and provided with ribs on its top surface, collectively constituting an antifrictional tread. A mat of this character is particularly useful on running-boards 'of automobiles.

The object of the invention is to provide a ribbed mat, adapted, when in use, to cause dranage of water between its ribs, from the mid length to opposite ends of the mat.

The invention s embodied in the improvements which I will now proceed to describe and claim.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specificatiom- Figure 1 is a top plan view of a mat embodying the nvention.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

The same reference characters indicate thesame parts in all of the figures.

In the drawings, 12 represents the body of my improved mat, having a flat bottom face, adapted to bear on the top surface of an automobile running-board. Spaced apart longitudinal ribs 13 are molded on the top surface of the body, the upper faces of said ribs collectively constitutmg a tread for a boot or Shoe sole. The ribs are spaced apart by portions of the top surface of the body 12, and the top surface portions between the ribs are inclined, as shown by Fig. 2, from a point 14: at the md length of the body to opposite ends of the body. The inclined surface portions and the sides of the ribs constitute gutters extendng from end to end of the body, the bottoms of said gutters being inclined' as and for the purposes above stated. V

The upper faces of the ribs 13 are prefer-' ably parallel with the bottom of the body 12,

as shown by F ig. 2, so that the sides of the ribs are higher at the end portions than at the mid length portion of the' mat, the top faces of the ribs, therefore, forming a flat tread, which is not inclined like the portions ofbthe top surfaccs of the body between the r s.

It will now be seen that provision is made for drainage of water from the top surface of the mat. It-will also be seen that by forming the top faces of the ribs 13 parallel with the bottom faces of the body 12, I provide substantially the same wear-resistin thickness atthe end. portions as at the mi length portion 14 of the mat.

The body is preferably provided with orifices 15 to receive attaching screws.

I claim:

1. A step mat composed of an elastic body having a flat bottom face and spaced apart ribs integral with the body and projecting above the top face of the latter, said ribs and top face forming gutters extending from end to end of the body, and having bottoms which are inclined to permit water to flow from the mid-length to the opposite ends of the body between the ribs, the upper faces of said ribs collectively constituting an antifrictional tread above the body.

2. A step mat composed of an elastic body having a flat bottom face and spaced apart ribs integral with the body and projecting above the top face of the latter, said ribs and top face forming gutters extending from end to end of the body, and having bottoms which are inclined to permit water to flow from the mid-length to the opposite end of the body between the ribs, the upper faces of said ribs being substantially parallel with the bottom face of the body and collectively constituting a flat antifrictional tread above the body. I

In testimony whereof I have afifixed my signature.

WARREN MACPHERSON. 

